Today the OGA has developed into a non-profit entity of more than 270 public, private and associate clubs throughout Oregon and SW Washington with over 40,000 individual members. As guardian of the game in our region, our mission is to foster the enhancement and expansion of the game of golf by leading in the development of member and information services, the promotion of opportunities for all that want to play, and protection of the game’s integrity and valued traditions.

Although the OGA of today has many facets and areas of activity (even owning its own golf course), its only original purpose was the conduct of championship tournaments. The OGA was founded 80 years ago because one man, Ed Nuestadter of Tualatin CC thought the three clubs in Portland which had been conducting the Oregon Amateur championship (Tualatin CC, Waverley CC and the Portland Golf Club) needed some help.

The Oregon Amateur started in 1904 when 11 men and 13 ladies competed at Waverley CC. Waverley was the only course in the Portland area at the time and it continued to hold the event every year through 1916. It was played at Gearhart GL in 1917, cancelled in 1918 due to World War I and played at Waverley, Portland GC and Tualatin from 1919 through 1923. As the years passed and fields grew larger, and as new courses were built, it became evident that the clubs could use some help with the tournament; and so the Oregon Golf Association formed.

Many of the individuals who were involved with association activities are mentioned in the Four Part History of the Oregon Golf Association written by original Executive Director Dale Johnson. We greatly thank Dale for the many hours he took in researching, compiling and writing this history.